CVE-2017-14102: MIMEDefang 2.80 and earlier creates a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might al

Routine

HIGH 7.8DOWNGRADE

CVE-2017-14102 is a high-severity flaw (CVSS 7.8) affecting mimedefang. Below: why it ranks where it does, which versions are affected, what to do, and the exact commands.

MIMEDefang 2.80 and earlier creates a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow local users to kill arbitrary processes by leveraging access to this non-root account for PID file modification before a root script executes a "kill `cat /pathname`" command, as demonstrated by the init-script.in and mimedefang-init.in scripts.

Why this priority

High severity

No fix is published yet: follow the downgrade or mitigation steps.

Risk facts

CVSS score	7.8 (High)
Attack vector	Local
Attack complexity	Low
Privileges needed	Low
User interaction	None
EPSS exploit chance	0.4% (top 69%)
CISA exploited list	No
Weakness	CWE-665
Published	2017-09-01
Last modified	2026-06-17

Publisher (CNA): MITRE · Vendor: mimedefang

Last updated 2026-06-17 · Sources: CVE Program, NVD, CISA KEV, EPSS and vendor advisories · How we score

Am I affected?

Timeline

2017-09-01 05:29 UTCPublished CVE record published
2026-06-17 01:05 UTCUpdated Record last modified

mimedefang mimedefang DOWNGRADE

Affected: 2.80

Fixed in: no fixed release known

Safe to downgrade to: a release before 2.80

1. Check installed version

apt-cache policy mimedefang || rpm -q mimedefang || mimedefang --version

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE to a release before 2.80 (Debian / Ubuntu)

apt-cache madison mimedefang sudo apt install mimedefang=<VERSION_BEFORE_2.80> sudo apt-mark hold mimedefang

2. No fixed release: DOWNGRADE (RHEL / Amazon Linux / Fedora)

dnf --showduplicates list mimedefang sudo dnf downgrade mimedefang-<VERSION_BEFORE_2.80> sudo dnf versionlock add mimedefang

Downgrade risk

Downgrading can break dependent software and may reopen older bugs. Read the distro advisory first and test on a non-production host.

After downgrade

Restart the service, and keep the package held until a fixed release ships.

Verify at the official source NVD · CVE Program · Report a problem with this page
Scores and fixes here are computed automatically from those and other public sources. Confirm with the vendor advisory before changing production systems.

Quick answers

How do I fix CVE-2017-14102?

mimedefang: downgrade or apply the listed mitigation. Exact commands for each OS are on this page.

Is CVE-2017-14102 being exploited?

CVE-2017-14102 is not on the CISA Known Exploited Vulnerabilities list at the time of the last update. Check again, as this can change.

What does CVE-2017-14102 affect?

CVE-2017-14102 affects mimedefang. Severity is high (CVSS 7.8). MIMEDefang 2.80 and earlier creates a PID file after dropping privileges to a non-root account, which might allow local users to kill arbitrary processes by leveraging access to this non-root account for PID file modification before a root

How urgent is CVE-2017-14102?

Priority 35/100. High severity

References

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